Aspergian Pride
Nov 01
Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg, a Vermont author who learned relatively late in life that she is autistic, recently wrote a memoir called The Uncharted Path in which she describes her experiences of self-discovery. More information about her book, along with links to reviews, can be found on her blog Journeys with Autism. She is an excellent writer [...] [...more]
Posted: under Speaking Out.
Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg, a Vermont author who learned relatively late in life that she is autistic, recently wrote a memoir called The Uncharted Path in which she describes her experiences of self-discovery. More information about her book, along with links to reviews, can be found on her blog Journeys with Autism. She is an excellent writer who speaks passionately about civil rights issues and the need to fight against injustice.
In support of Autistics Speaking Day, November 1st, she is calling on autistic people to speak up on the Internet today to make clear that the autistic community will not be silenced by the ignorance and misguided acts of others.
Jan 17
After being selected as a winner of his school district’s book-writing contest, 12-year-old Dyllan Rafail had the opportunity to have his book published. In “Super Senses,” he compares his autistic sensory experiences to being a superhero who has abilities others do not share and who struggles with the resulting difficulties and misunderstandings. According to an article in [...] [...more]
Posted: under Speaking Out.
After being selected as a winner of his school district’s book-writing contest, 12-year-old Dyllan Rafail had the opportunity to have his book published. In “Super Senses,” he compares his autistic sensory experiences to being a superhero who has abilities others do not share and who struggles with the resulting difficulties and misunderstandings.
According to an article in Ann Arbor.com, Dyllan wrote his book because he wanted to explain his feelings and to help others understand his experiences. In response to the idea that autism should be cured, Dyllan said, “They’re not taking mine away.”
Sep 13
The video games created by Jack Booth, an 11-year-old autistic boy living in Swindon, UK, are so difficult that even the most experienced gamers have been unable to complete some of them. Jack is now taking on a larger challenge; he seeks to change public perceptions of autism. Interviewed for a local newspaper article, Jack said, “I would like to show [...] [...more]
Posted: under Speaking Out.
The video games created by Jack Booth, an 11-year-old autistic boy living in Swindon, UK, are so difficult that even the most experienced gamers have been unable to complete some of them. Jack is now taking on a larger challenge; he seeks to change public perceptions of autism.
Interviewed for a local newspaper article, Jack said, “I would like to show people they shouldn’t be scared to be friends with me.” Some of the children at his school, perhaps frightened by sensational media stories, thought that autism was a disease they could catch from him.
Jack’s mother, Tracey, has always supported his focused interests and his keen desire to learn. ”There is definitely not enough understanding about autism,” she said, “from children and adults. I used to apologise for the way he was but now I don’t – why should I? He’s a joy to have as a son and I’m very proud of him.”
Jun 12
Kim Hing, a student at De Anza College in Cupertino, California, wrote a letter to the campus newspaper protesting a film club event at which the owner of a local donut shop called “Psycho Donuts” had been invited to speak. The owner suggested that the film club could raise funds by selling his donuts, which [...] [...more]
Posted: under Speaking Out.
Kim Hing, a student at De Anza College in Cupertino, California, wrote a letter to the campus newspaper protesting a film club event at which the owner of a local donut shop called “Psycho Donuts” had been invited to speak. The owner suggested that the film club could raise funds by selling his donuts, which are named after psychiatric diagnoses, on campus. The donut shop’s decor includes a padded cell and a straitjacket, and its employees dress in white coats.
A longer statement by Kim Hing has been widely circulated on the Internet, in which she explains that she has several diagnoses, including Asperger’s syndrome, and that she does “not expect to be publicly humiliated and to have my disability ridiculed at a school sponsored event… I do not feel I should be subjected to this at school.”
Indeed, so-called humor that mocks people with disabilities is not at all funny, and nobody should have to be subjected to it. Kudos to Kim Hing for speaking out against it.
Edit: The owner of Psycho Donuts has agreed to make some changes, such as turning the padded cell into a music studio.
Jul 17
A South African autistic activist who goes by the name of “Adi” is working to bring about more representation of autistic people’s views in autism organizations, community events, and public policy discussions in the Western Cape area. She has drawn attention to harmful misrepresentations and negative images associated with fundraising efforts by the charitable group [...] [...more]
Posted: under Speaking Out.
A South African autistic activist who goes by the name of “Adi” is working to bring about more representation of autistic people’s views in autism organizations, community events, and public policy discussions in the Western Cape area. She has drawn attention to harmful misrepresentations and negative images associated with fundraising efforts by the charitable group Autism Western Cape, which she points out could have been avoided if autistic people had been consulted during the planning stages.
After seeing a poster that advertised a “Jail4Bail” fundraiser for Autism Western Cape with a photo of a child in a jail cell, she objected strongly to the poster because it created the damaging impression that autistic children were imprisoned by their autism. The poster was changed to show an adult behind bars instead. However, as Adi writes, much more needs to be done to end stigmatizing portrayals of autistic people and to ensure meaningful representation of self-advocates:
“One has to be so careful how autism is portrayed to society. The problems that autistics face today are often more those caused by lack of acceptance and inclusion in society than the actual disabilities. If your hope is to give autistics the freedom of society one day, how can you portray it as a jail?”
Dec 12
Self-advocate Ari Ne’eman, who is studying political science and economics at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County as a Sondheim Scholar of Public Affairs, has put together an impressive list of accomplishments in the political realm even before receiving his university degree. He is the founder and president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit [...] [...more]
Posted: under Government and Politics, Speaking Out.
Self-advocate Ari Ne’eman, who is studying political science and economics at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County as a Sondheim Scholar of Public Affairs, has put together an impressive list of accomplishments in the political realm even before receiving his university degree. He is the founder and president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit organization that works to improve society’s perception of autistic citizens while also providing social and support services for adults and youth on the autism spectrum.
Ari serves as the Policy Workgroup Leader for the Youth Advisory Council to the National Council on Disability and as the Public Policy Chair for the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of the New Jersey Olmstead Implementation and Planning Advisory Council (a policy group that deals with de-institutionalization issues).
Recently, Ari has taken the lead in coordinating an effort by numerous disability rights organizations to urge New York University’s Child Study Center to withdraw an offensive advertising campaign entitled “Ransom Notes,” which stigmatizes autistic children and others with disabilities by portraying them as hopeless and tragic kidnap victims. (To find out how you can help stop these ads by writing to the people responsible for them and by signing a petition, please take a look at Ari’s joint letter and action alert.)
Update, December 19, 2007: The offensive ads have been withdrawn, chiefly in response to Ari’s efforts to unite the disability community in demanding their removal. Thanks Ari for your great work!
Dec 07
Canadian researcher Michelle Dawson, who studies autism at the University of Montreal and is herself autistic, was recently interviewed regarding her efforts to improve ethical standards for autism-related science and advocacy. Her studies focus on cognitive science and neuroscience. She is an author of several papers published in professional journals. On the importance of accuracy [...] [...more]
Posted: under Career Paths, Speaking Out.
Canadian researcher Michelle Dawson, who studies autism at the University of Montreal and is herself autistic, was recently interviewed regarding her efforts to improve ethical standards for autism-related science and advocacy. Her studies focus on cognitive science and neuroscience. She is an author of several papers published in professional journals. On the importance of accuracy in autism research, she says:
“The point is not for you to be right and for your side to be right; the point is to try to do the best you can to understand autism and to make it possible for autistics to have good outcomes. To do that you need accurate information.
“Accurate information is always good for autistic people. It might not be good for advocates, it might not be good for lawyers, it might not be good for lobby groups, it might not be good for various vested interests, it might not even be good for researchers, it might not be good for funding bodies, but it is always good for autistic people.”
Let’s hope more people will pay attention to these words of wisdom!
Oct 13
This year’s United Way fundraising campaign in Greater St. Louis features Tyrin Rencher as a spokesman for autism services and awareness. Refreshingly, the campaign has a positive tone, with the tagline “Autism is a trait, not a debilitation,” and it stresses that Tyrin, who is a junior at the University of Missouri St. Louis and [...] [...more]
Posted: under Speaking Out.
This year’s United Way fundraising campaign in Greater St. Louis features Tyrin Rencher as a spokesman for autism services and awareness. Refreshingly, the campaign has a positive tone, with the tagline “Autism is a trait, not a debilitation,” and it stresses that Tyrin, who is a junior at the University of Missouri St. Louis and is studying business administration, leads an independent and rewarding life.
Tyrin credits his participation in United Way’s autism services programs, including his work at a restaurant operated by the Illinois Center for Autism that provides vocational training and employment opportunities, with helping him to gain skills and confidence. When he gets his degree, he plans to open his own restaurant.
Aug 09
Teddy Willis, an 11-year-old student with an Asperger diagnosis, wasn’t willing to be silenced when he was told by school officials earlier this year that he could not discuss his personal perspective on autism while he was at school. He made a speech to the school board, explaining that he wanted other people to understand [...] [...more]
Posted: under Speaking Out.
Teddy Willis, an 11-year-old student with an Asperger diagnosis, wasn’t willing to be silenced when he was told by school officials earlier this year that he could not discuss his personal perspective on autism while he was at school. He made a speech to the school board, explaining that he wanted other people to understand his differences.
After that, Teddy and his mother, Irene, decided to work with a local agency to develop an inclusive day camp to promote autism acceptance.
The camp provides an opportunity for autistic and non-autistic students to interact and to learn from each other. Parents and agency officials have been supportive.
“The main reason for the camp is so that all kids would learn not to treat people differently,” Teddy explained.
Go Teddy — you rock!
Jul 11
An autism conference is currently being held at the University of San Diego. As reported in the blog One Dad’s Opinion, the opening presenter, Anne Donnellan, anticipated that the attendees would consist mainly of teachers and therapists, with a few parents and administrators also present. The conference also featured outspoken autistic civil rights advocacy from [...] [...more]
Posted: under Speaking Out.
An autism conference is currently being held at the University of San Diego. As reported in the blog One Dad’s Opinion, the opening presenter, Anne Donnellan, anticipated that the attendees would consist mainly of teachers and therapists, with a few parents and administrators also present. The conference also featured outspoken autistic civil rights advocacy from a student by the name of Stephen Hinkle:
She asked for a show of hands as she identified her audience. Parents? About 10 of us. Behavioral Therapists? Looked like about 60. Teachers? Maybe 120. OT, PT, SLT? 40 or so. Administrators and government service providers? 10 more. She mumbled something about needing to attract more parents to these conferences and was moving on when a voice in the front of the room said loudly, “Um, you forgot someone!”
…No further discussion of the day is possible without referring to Mr. Hinkle’s contributions. He was bright, funny, active, energetic, and made the most profound and salient points of anyone in the room. He interjected about 15 or 20 times over the course of the day, always starting with, “I’d like to respond to something you just said…” His ensuing response was guaranteed to be long-winded, well-reasoned, and directly related to the topic at hand.
Bravo to Stephen Hinkle for making the time and effort to attend this conference and to educate so many professionals about the concerns of the autistic/Aspergian community. Great job!